Original articleMusculoskeletal imagingMRI dedicated to bones and joints: What are their market shares in terms of number of patients in private practice in France?

PurposeThe French government plans to install MRI facilities dedicated to musculoskeletal indications. We have analyzed the use of imaging investigations in the community to assess their market share.Materials and methodsWe undertook a retrospective analysis of all reimbursements during the year 2012 by the French Social Plan for Independent Workers for 4 imaging methods for a musculoskeletal indication (MRI, CT scan with or without opacification and contrast-enhanced conventional radiography).ResultsThree hundred and thirty-two thousand eight hundred and ninety-three beneficiaries were included. The following investigations were used: MRI 12659 investigations; CT scan without direct opacification 7392; CT scan with direct opacification 1271; contrast-enhanced conventional radiography 1187. Of those beneficiaries who underwent investigations of the spine, 39.91% had MRI alone, 8.62% had both MRI and one of the other investigations and 51.46% did not have MRI. The corresponding figures for beneficiaries undergoing lower limb investigations were 79.57%, 4.53% and 15.90% and those for beneficiaries undergoing upper limb investigations were 35.49%, 6.56% and 57.94% respectively.ConclusionIn terms of the numbers of investigations, our results show that in France MRI dedicated to musculoskeletal indications has a wide market share for the spine, upper and lower limbs.